Colombian President Fires Armed Forces Chief

Ouster Follows Release of Taped Conversations Dismissive of Military Scandals

By

Darcy Crowe

Feb. 18, 2014 8:58 p.m. ET

BOGOTÁ—President Juan Manuel Santos on Tuesday fired the armed forces' top commander, as part of his government's efforts to tackle a handful of scandals roiling Colombia's military.

Mr. Santos ousted Gen. Leonardo Barrero, the chief of the armed forces, after Semana, an influential weekly newsmagazine, released over the weekend a series of what the government confirmed were taped phone conversations involving Gen. Barrero and other...